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Wind Gourd of La’amaomao
Nakuina, Moses Kuaea, The Wind Gourd of La’amaomao. Trans. by Esther T. Mookini and Sarah Nākoa. Honolulu, HI: Kalamakū Press (1710 Punahou St., Apt. 601 Honolulu, HI 96822) 2nd Edition, 1992. xii, 130 pp, ISBN 0962310204 (pa) $10. Illus. (Originally published in 1902 in Hawaiian.)
Wind Gourd of La’amaomao is the story of the kahu iwikuamo’o (personal retainer), Pāka’a and Kūapāka’a (Father and Son), of the ruling ali’i (chief) of Hawai’i, Keawenuia’umi. The story shows how the two iwikuamo’o help, are loyal to, and love Keawenuia’umi throughout their lives. The story begins with Pāka’a service to Keawenuia’umi, which was interrupted by lies spread by other jealous advisers that landed Pāka’a banished unjustly. Kūapāka’a enters the story as he works to restore his and his father’s rightful place and position at Keawenuia’umi side as faithful retainers.
This insightful source gives readers different historical episodes pertaining to Hawai’i. The book presents Hawaiian Chants that over time might otherwise have been lost during Nakuina’s lifetime. Wind Gourd of La’amaomao contains all the names of the winds of Hawai’i which is not included in other printed materials that are available to the general public. These wind names are illustrated by the location of each island to which the winds are connected. These illustrations help readers to get an understanding how these winds are connected to the land of the islands. The story of ruling ali’i and their genealogy of a family are similar to the stories found in the beginning of Ruling Chiefs of Hawai’i. These stories of early ali’i and their genealogy are presented to the reader. If one liked Tales and Traditions of the People of Old they would like Wind Gourd of La’amaomao.
Moses Nakuina was born on Maui in 1867 during the reign of King Kamehameha V. Later in life, while working at the Government Records Office on O’ahu, Nakuina collected and published Hawaiian folktales and wrote and translated articles on Hawaiian culture. His works also include articles in Thrum’s Hawaiian Annual, book The Hawaiian Story of Kalapana, a Native-Born of Puna, and several other published stories about Hawaiian culture and folktales. In his later years of life, Nakuina became a minister of the Kaumakapili Church. Nakuina’s background and life gives credence to his work. Since he lived through the time that the chants, tales, and reference for the land and chief was better known and understood then they are today.
With the entailed Hawaiian Chants, names of the winds, and discussion of proper references to land and chiefs, this book merits being part of a Hawaiian collection, here or a folktale collection in libraries beyond Hawaii. One concern about the book is that it is a paperback with glue binding. This can lead to loose leaves and bent covers. There is a glossary to help readers understand some of the terminology used in the book, but at times it is not the most helpful. For example, “po’e ho’opili wale” means people living off others; sponges; literal “clinging people.” Besides these few negative aspects the book is worth it.Esther T. Mookini has won The Pa‘a Mo‘olelo Award from The Hawaiian Historical Society in helping preserving and perpetuates the Hawaiian Language. The award is to honor individuals’ lifetime contributions to Hawaiian history. The chants have been used in religion and history classes in the high school and or university levels of education in the State of Hawaii.
Other Works Mentioned:
Wind Gourd of La’amaomao is the story of the kahu iwikuamo’o (personal retainer), Pāka’a and Kūapāka’a (Father and Son), of the ruling ali’i (chief) of Hawai’i, Keawenuia’umi. The story shows how the two iwikuamo’o help, are loyal to, and love Keawenuia’umi throughout their lives. The story begins with Pāka’a service to Keawenuia’umi, which was interrupted by lies spread by other jealous advisers that landed Pāka’a banished unjustly. Kūapāka’a enters the story as he works to restore his and his father’s rightful place and position at Keawenuia’umi side as faithful retainers.
This insightful source gives readers different historical episodes pertaining to Hawai’i. The book presents Hawaiian Chants that over time might otherwise have been lost during Nakuina’s lifetime. Wind Gourd of La’amaomao contains all the names of the winds of Hawai’i which is not included in other printed materials that are available to the general public. These wind names are illustrated by the location of each island to which the winds are connected. These illustrations help readers to get an understanding how these winds are connected to the land of the islands. The story of ruling ali’i and their genealogy of a family are similar to the stories found in the beginning of Ruling Chiefs of Hawai’i. These stories of early ali’i and their genealogy are presented to the reader. If one liked Tales and Traditions of the People of Old they would like Wind Gourd of La’amaomao.
Moses Nakuina was born on Maui in 1867 during the reign of King Kamehameha V. Later in life, while working at the Government Records Office on O’ahu, Nakuina collected and published Hawaiian folktales and wrote and translated articles on Hawaiian culture. His works also include articles in Thrum’s Hawaiian Annual, book The Hawaiian Story of Kalapana, a Native-Born of Puna, and several other published stories about Hawaiian culture and folktales. In his later years of life, Nakuina became a minister of the Kaumakapili Church. Nakuina’s background and life gives credence to his work. Since he lived through the time that the chants, tales, and reference for the land and chief was better known and understood then they are today.
With the entailed Hawaiian Chants, names of the winds, and discussion of proper references to land and chiefs, this book merits being part of a Hawaiian collection, here or a folktale collection in libraries beyond Hawaii. One concern about the book is that it is a paperback with glue binding. This can lead to loose leaves and bent covers. There is a glossary to help readers understand some of the terminology used in the book, but at times it is not the most helpful. For example, “po’e ho’opili wale” means people living off others; sponges; literal “clinging people.” Besides these few negative aspects the book is worth it.Esther T. Mookini has won The Pa‘a Mo‘olelo Award from The Hawaiian Historical Society in helping preserving and perpetuates the Hawaiian Language. The award is to honor individuals’ lifetime contributions to Hawaiian history. The chants have been used in religion and history classes in the high school and or university levels of education in the State of Hawaii.
Submitted in May 2006 by James Heiner, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Other Works Mentioned:
- Kamakau, Samuel M., Ruling Chiefs of Hawai’i. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools, 1961.
- Kamakau, Samuel Mānaiakalani, Tales and Traditions of the People of Old: Nā Mo’olelo a ka Po’e Kahiko. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1991.
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